The veteran movie star, the original Han Solo, is facing up to six months of rehab after breaking his leg during filming at Pinewood Studios in England on 12 June (14). Shooting has continued in Ford's absence, and Abrams was said to have reworked the storyline to give Isaac more screen time.

Details about the Inside Llewyn Davis star's character have yet to be revealed, but reports suggest he plays a descendant of Solo. A source tells the New York Post, "They are now beefing up Oscar's role to be bigger with Harrison injured."

However, a representative for Disney has shut down the rumours, stating, "This is categorically not true."

Studio chiefs previously insisted Ford's injury would not affect the filming schedule, with the movie still expected to hit movie theatres in December, 2015.